Each summer inter-tribal canoes depart from their homeland to a common destination within Coast Salish territory. Canoes will pass through the San Juan Islands on their way to the final destination in the Campbell River with the We Wai Kai Nation & Wei Wai Kum Nation. Canoe families, relatives, friends and spectators are invited to attend the final landing and festivities Aug 5 – 10, 2017. This year’s theme is “Standing Together.”
San Juan Islands will host 12 Canoe Families. This will include 200 paddlers, support boat and land crews.
Paddlers will arrive:
Monday, July 24 at Sxwalech (Odlin County Park, Lopez Island) around 4 p.m. and will be greeted with songs and blessings from tribal elders and local representatives. Celebrations will follow after dinner at 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, July 25 at Pe’pi’ow’elh (English Camp, San Juan Island National Historical Park). Landing ceremony at approximately 3 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m.
All events are free and the public is welcome.
We need volunteers to help with meals and support boats. Crossings include: July 24 from Washington Park across Rosario Strait (11 a.m.-3 p.m.); July 25 Odlin to Westcott Bay via Upright, Harney and President Channel (9 a.m.-3 p.m.), and July 26 from Westcott Bay across Haro Strait to Tsawout, BC (8 a.m.-12 p.m.). Email Stephanie at [email protected] or call 360.378.2319 if you can help bring food or provide support from a boat.
Islanders from Shaw, Waldron, Lopez, Canoe Island, Orcas, and San Juan have hosted canoe stop-overs since 1989. This year’s Canoe Journey is generously supported by Friends of the San Juans, Roche Harbor Resort, National Park Service, San Juan County, San Juan County Parks, and community members of Lopez and San Juan Island. Click here to help share the event through Facebook.
Special donations to support the Canoe Journey stop overs would also be very appreciated. Click here to donate
